CHENNAI: Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan has given clear indications that the party is drifting away from the DMK and is likely to develop a political alliance with the Left parties. Reacting to the development, State committee member of CPI, D Indrajit, pointed out that the Left parties had decided to lead a front on their own, making it clear that VCK could not continue in the DMK front if it wanted to join hands with the Left.
Referring to Thirumavalavan’s appeal, he said, “The VCK leader had made similar appeals even before the elections. But, the Left parties were unable to accept his request as he was part of the DMK alliance”.
Indrajit said the question of ties with the VCK would be discussed in the next State committee meeting of the CPI in July. He also clarified that the party was not averse to closely working with Dalit and minority outfits as the party ideology itself was to support oppressed people.
The VCK, which quit the AIADMK alliance after the 2006 Assembly elections and joined the DMK front, was given a raw treatment and allotted a single seat during the seat-sharing talks for the 2014 LS elections, leading to volatile protests by party cadre. Finally, it was given two seats, which it lost in the polls.
Thirumavalan bore the brunt of the attacks against the DMK on the Sri Lankan issue and defended the party in times of crisis. He is also a member of the TESO formed by the DMK.
The VCK was trying to form a Dalit-minority axis for the last decade after shedding the name of Dalit Panthers of India. It was raising voice for minorities on vital issues. During the stir against the attack on Lankan Muslims by Buddhists, Thirumavalavan was a participant.